Statistics

General diabetes statistics

Diabetes affects an estimated 25.8 million people in the U.S. (90 to 95 percent have type 2 diabetes)--18.8 million have been diagnosed, but 7 million are unaware they have the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association and the CDC, those affected include:

12.5 million U.S. women (10.8 percent of all women age 20 or older)

13 million U.S. men (11.8 percent of all men age 20 or older)

215,000 people younger than age 20

10.9 million adults older than age 65

4.9 million non-Hispanic African-Americans (18.7 percent of all African-Americans age 20 or older)

15.7 million Caucasian Americans (10.2 percent of all Caucasian Americans age 20 or older)

According to the most recent statistics, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death, and the fifth leading cause of death from disease in 2007. Diabetes costs $116 billion annually in direct medical costs. Diabetes costs $58 billion annually in indirect costs (loss of work, disability, loss of life).

Diabetes prevalence by race

Certain ethnic groups tend to be more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes. Several risk factors contribute to this pattern, including the following:

Genetic background. Certain racial groups tend to share a common genetic factor that may affect their insulin secretion and insulin resistance. For example, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders may share a "thrifty gene" left over from their ancestors, which enabled them to survive during "feast and famine" cycles. However, with those cycles phasing out, that same gene may make a person more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Impaired glucose tolerance, when blood glucose levels rise higher than normal after meals, may be more prevalent in certain groups. IGT may represent an early stage of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy may have a 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy. The prevalence of gestational diabetes is higher among certain groups.

Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia, or higher than normal levels of fasting insulin, may lead to diabetes. Certain ethnic groups tend to have higher insulin levels.

Obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Obesity is more prevalent in certain races.

Diabetes risk among African-Americans

African-Americans are two times more likely to develop diabetes than Caucasian Americans. Obesity tends to be one of the major risk factors for developing diabetes in African-Americans, especially African-American women. Other facts about African-Americans and diabetes include the following:

African-Americans also are more likely to suffer from higher incidences of diabetes complications and disability.

African-Americans are more likely to undergo lower-extremity amputations due to complications of diabetes than Caucasian Americans or Hispanic Americans.

African-Americans with diabetes experience kidney failure about four times more often than diabetic Caucasian Americans.

African-Americans have a 40 to 50 percent higher risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, partly because this population also has a higher rate of hypertension.

Gestational diabetes may be 50 to 80 percent more likely among African-American women than among Caucasian women.

Diabetes risk among Hispanic Americans

More than 10 percent of all Hispanic Americans (2 million) have diabetes. Hispanic Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Other facts about Hispanic Americans and diabetes include the following:

Diabetes is twice as common among Mexican-Americans and Puerto Rican Americans than among Caucasian Americans.

Obesity and physical inactivity are the main risk factors for diabetes among Hispanic Americans.

Although Hispanic Americans have higher rates of diabetic retinopathy and kidney disease, they have lower rates of heart disease from diabetes than Caucasian Americans.

Diabetes risk among American Indians and Alaska Natives

American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as are Caucasian Americans. Other facts about American Indians and Alaska Natives and diabetes include the following:

According to the Office of Minority Health, approximately 14.2 percent of American Indian adults have diabetes, although rates vary considerably among different tribes.

Type 2 diabetes prevalence is increasing among American Indian and Alaska Native children and adolescents.

Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives. For example, the majority (95 percent) of Pima Indians with diabetes are overweight.

Diabetes risk among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders

Data concerning diabetes prevalence among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander Americans is limited. Some groups among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander Americans appear to be at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Other facts about Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans and diabetes include the following:

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander Americans between ages 45 and 64.